Pasco Democrats want money to field a candidate, even if they don't have one yet for Mike Fasano's seat

Pasco Democrats have yet to announce a candidate to run for Florida House District 36, the seat vacated by Mike Fasano, but that hasn’t stopped them from asking for money.

“This seat must be held by a Democrat who will speak up for Pasco residents and not rubber-stamp the Republican House leadership line,” Pasco Democratic Party chairman Lynn Lindeman wrote in an email last week.

He asked recipients of the email to give at least $36 each to the party by check or PayPal through the party’s website.

“Your support will move us one step closer to regaining the majority in the Florida House,” the email said. “A Democratic majority in the House and a Democratic governor in 2014 are both within reach.”

The special election is set for Oct. 15. Republicans jumped quickly to field candidates. The list includes James Mathieu, a local attorney and GOP activist who ran against Fasano last year, and church pastor Bill Gunter who has received the endorsements of many in Pasco's power structure including future House Speaker Richard Corcoran. Insurance agent Jeromy K. Harding is also in the Republican field. The nonpartisans even have a candidate. Richard T. Sikes, an Iraq war veteran who helps disabled people, including veterans, find jobs and access to education, announced last week he would run.

The winner will replace Fasano, a Republican, who was appointed Pasco’s tax collector following the death of Mike Olson, the county’s only Democratic officeholder.

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